PSL300H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 32: Pupillary Light Reflex, Anterior Pituitary, Melanocortin
Document Summary
Reflexes like the autonomic reflex (pupillary light reflex, baroreflex) rarely occur in isolation. There won"t be a situation where that one reflex will be changed alone in the body. The change in the environment often demands a change in a set of autonomic reflexes. Homeostasis the maintenance of a stable, internal body environment. Product of many physiological control circuits (negative feedback loops) Hypothalamus is the major regulator of core parameters such as plasma glucose, osmolality, temperature. Sensors located within hypothalamus to detect changes in these parameters of the body. It can also rely on sensors located elsewhere in the body, not just the hypothalamus. Corrective actions initiated involve autonomic, endocrine, and somatomotor mechanisms (if the sensor detect something wrong) The hypothalamus interacts with brainstem motor and autonomic centers via axonal projections. Also interacts with endocrine system via the pituitary gland.
